Leicester City will be hoping to maintain their perfect start to the season when they play host to Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the Foxes sit in second position in the standings, the Bluebirds are in 17th spot after failing to win either of their opening two fixtures.
Match preview
© Reuters
Enzo Maresca's Leicester side have been far from convincing during their opening fixtures against each of Coventry City and Huddersfield Town.
Nevertheless, the East Midlands outfit have come through with 2-1 and 1-0 victories, efforts that can only have encouraged Maresca as he continues to build his squad at the King Power Stadium.
Incomings and outgoings are expected to materialise before the end of August, yet there is a feeling that the Foxes are already a step ahead of the likes of Leeds United and Southampton, their fellow relegated sides from last season's Premier League.
Each of Leicester's three goals in the Championship have been scored in the 73rd minute or later, arguably an indication that they could emerge as one of the fitter sides in the division.
However, it is still early, and their upcoming opponents have already shown that they are capable of delivering a performance at the home of a title favourite.
© Reuters
Cardiff came away from their opening-weekend trip to Leeds feeling disappointed having only posted a 2-2 draw after leading by two goals at half time.
New head coach Erol Bulut would have taken the positives from the display at Elland Road, yet he has since witnessed the Bluebirds fail to impress in home fixtures with Colchester United and Queens Park Rangers.
The latter would have felt there for the taking when they met in South Wales on August 12, but QPR bounced back from a 4-0 defeat to Watford by edging out Cardiff by a 2-1 scoreline.
Having had a week to react to that disappointment, Bulut needs a response from his team if they are to avoid becoming embroiled in a scrap to avoid relegation from the early weeks of the campaign.
These two teams have not squared off in a competitive fixture since Cardiff prevailed 1-0 at the King Power Stadium in December 2018, back when both teams were in the Premier League.
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
- D
- D
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and defender Victor Kristiansen are both expected to return to the Leicester squad after injuries ruled them out last weekend.
Wanya Marcal-Madivadua will hope to keep his place having made his first Leicester start at Huddersfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to remain ahead of Jamie Vardy.
Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei is likely to start his Foxes career on the substitutes' bench.
Despite defeat to QPR, Bulut will give consideration to selecting the same Cardiff XI, keeping Aaron Ramsey in the most advanced role of the midfield three.
Although Ollie Tanner has made an impact over the past 10 days, he is unlikely to get the nod over Josh Bowler or Karlan Grant on the flank.
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Doyle; Praet, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Marcal-Madivadua, Iheanacho, Mavididi
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, O'Dowda; Wintle, Adams; Bowler, Ramsey, Grant; Ugbo
We say: Leicester City 2-0 Cardiff City
Cardiff will feel that they can play with a certain level of freedom against opponents who have been tipped to win the league. Nevertheless, that is unlikely to change the end result, the Foxes likely to come through this match in comfortable fashion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
